What season are you planning on having your wedding in? Consider what flowers are in season and easily available. The decisions really begin to pile up when planning a wedding. Whether you’re a bride or a bridesmaid, a groom or a groomsman, these tips will help you in planning the ideal wedding.
You can get a better rate on almost any venue by booking during an off period. Most weddings take place between May and September. Venues are usually more expensive then. If you can’t plan your wedding at any other time, book your venue as soon as possible to get a great deal.
You save large amounts of money by purchasing your wedding dress online. However, it is crucial that you do it far in advance, should it need any alterations. It is perfectly possible to purchase a gown for a few hundred dollars and have it altered for as little as $200. Include the additional cost in your budgeting.
To add spice to your wedding reception, select a caterer that prepares ethnic foods. The standard is usually steak or chicken, so consider standing out with something different. Make sure that your wedding feast is something that everyone will remember for years to come.
Shop around for your photographer before making a commitment for the big day. You don’t want a photographer who disappoints. Look for online reviews to find great photographers.
Check your wedding venue to emsure that there will be enough room for a dance floor. It can be a horrible experience to feel crammed while everyone around you is trying to dance; move chairs and tables out of the way to give everyone some extra breathing space.
Instead of an expensive wedding cake, get cupcakes or mini-tarts. Times have changed and despite the oddness you may feel based on tradition, guests tend to prefer this and it saves not only money but also prevents waste. Guests can take cupcakes with them as they are leaving.
When planning out your table situation at your wedding, make sure that each table has an even number of people sitting at it. Try grouping tables by age groups so that they can talk about similar things.
You can turn one of your friends into a “mail-order minister” so that she can officiate the ceremony. This can not only save you money, but can also add a touch of personality to your ceremony. Make sure to check with the local officials first to see if it’s legal in the area.
Always consider the arrangements for guests that will be invited to a destination wedding. Some of your guests may have to take off from work in order to attend your wedding. Send out your save the date and invitation cards at least six to eight months ahead of time to allow your guests the most time possible to make preparations.
If you don’t want to spend a small fortune on flower arrangements on the reception tables, have you considered a display of potted plants instead? Use colorful, glazed ceramic pots, or dress up earthy terracotta stoneware with ribbons, decoupage, or decorative paint effects. You can even used the potted plants as a favor for guests after the wedding or plant them in your yard as a memory of the wedding.
Add flowers of all different heights. Use vases that are tall for long stem and compact head flowers. Surround these tall vases with short vases filled with voluminous hydrangeas, sweet peas, or peonies. Make sure the fuller, shorter flowers are lighter than the more prominent, taller blooms.
To aid in preparation for the first dance as a married couple, practice dancing together while you are wearing a long skirt or dress. Your skirt might be something you are used to walking or dancing in, but your soon-to-be husband might not. This will help him adjust to dancing with you in your dress and prevent any awkwardness, especially if your gown is particularly full at the bottom.
Decide in advance if you will be inviting children to your wedding. Banning children from your wedding can help make things go smoother as well as save some money. On the flip side, there may be a lot of people who may not attend for this reason because they cannot find someone to watch their children.
The groom must always make sure, prior to the wedding, that he has a tuxedo that fits properly. Model your tuxedo for friends and family members before making a final decision. Remember pictures will be taken at your wedding, you want to look and be remembered looking your best.
It’s tempting to do things the way your family has always done them to keep the peace. Keep in mind that your wedding is about you and your partner, not your extended family. If it’s a choice between pleasing your relatives or pleasing yourself and your partner, you have to do what pleases you. Be generous in your thanks for their assistance and concern, and let them know that you will keep their thoughts in mind when making your own decisions. Doing so means you can reflect upon your wedding free of regret.
Try serving small meals at the reception. You need to reduce costs, especially if you would like to invite many people to your wedding. One way to definitely shave costs is by serving a smaller meal at the reception. If you prefer to serve a larger meal, you may need to cut down the number of guests you invite.
After reading these tips, it’s safe to say that you probably weren’t aware of even half of these ideas. And that’s because no one ever realizes just how much goes into planning a wedding until they’re actually staring at it in the face. A wedding is perhaps the most detail-oriented celebration out there, so be sure that you’re using these tips to help you out.